How close can a switch be to the enclosure

Nimbus3000

I am almost finished with the controls on the panel door and need to know how close a switch can be to the enclosure wall. I have added a switch under the audible alarm to turn the alarm on or off. When I close the door the metal frame (the frame that the mounting screws thread through) is about a 1/16 to 1/8 inch from the door frame on the enclosure. I would think that the metal frame is only for mounting and should not be a source of a possible short. Is this switch too close to the enclosure wall? Thanks

**kal** · Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 2:26 pm Post subject:

The metal body or frame of the switch is screwed against the enclosure and is therefore completely grounded. No current flows through the frame. Current only flows through the contactors.

For more info on how these switches work, see: http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/control-panel-part-1?page=9

Manufacturers will usually publish minimum hole spacing for their devices so that you know how much breathing room should be left around them for wiring and whatever else is required inside the panel for the device.

Kal

Tungsten · Joined: 06 Dec 2014 Posts: 318 Location: Buffalo, NY

What is the switch for? If it's something that just needs one NO block then it's not a big deal based on your pictures, because you won't need to get wiring to the other side.

If you need that NC block to be wired too, then you might have to get creative with you wire it.

Nimbus3000

The switch is to silence the audible alarm so is just a simple on/off switch.

Tungsten · Joined: 06 Dec 2014 Posts: 318 Location: Buffalo, NY

I think you'll be OK then because you'll just be using the NO block which is away from the edge. If you need the other one, you might have some issues.